INEC’s move may block our party from 2027 elections, ADC cries out

.Urges Electoral body to reverse its position, resume accepting lawful correspondence, uphold its constitutional duty

.Party youths give INEC 72-hour ultimatum to recognise Mark-led leadership

Emeka Agu with agency report

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to stop receiving its correspondence pending a Federal High Court ruling can jeopardise its participation in the 2027 elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said that INEC sits at the centre of the emerging crisis.

Abdullahi said that the commission’s action might appear procedural but added that in reality, it conflicts with the timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026 which provides defined compliance windows.

This, he said, included the mandatory 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements within which political parties must complete critical electoral processes.

“This has revealed the deliberate administrative landmines being deployed by INEC to prevent the party from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.

“We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a developing situation that appears designed to prevent the ADC from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.

“It is based on documentary evidence which we are now placing before the Nigerian public, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports and excerpts from the commission’s own sworn affidavit.

“Taken together, these documents establish a clear and consistent record of events,” Abdullahi said.

He further stated that INEC monitored its July 29, 2025 NEC meeting, documented proceedings, updated records and recognised the new leadership, including Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

“These are not claims. They are facts contained in INEC’s own records.

“That the leadership transition had already been completed and recognised, that such internal party matters fall outside judicial interference and completed acts cannot be reversed by injunction.

“Yet, in spite of this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC.

“This is where the contradiction becomes dangerous,” he added.

Abdullahi noted that INEC had fixed May 10 as the submission deadline, adding, however, that its refusal to accept ADC correspondence within that period could effectively block compliance with statutory requirements.

“This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can justify excluding the party from fielding candidates.

“INEC has claimed that its April 1 decision was taken to avoid rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory.

“The reality is the opposite. By intervening in a matter already before the court, the commission has undermined the very process it claims to protect,” he said.

The spokesman urged INEC to reverse its position, resume accepting lawful correspondence and uphold its constitutional duty to ensure fairness and a level playing field.

Meanwhile, the youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to restore the party’s leadership recognised after its July 2025 NEC meeting.

The ultimatum was issued on Monday during a press conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Recall that INEC last Wednesday announced that it would no longer recognise the factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a court of appeal judgement.

Balarabe Rufa’i, national youth leader of the ADC, said the directive by INEC undermines the party’s internal processes and democratic norms.

Rufa’i said the ADC held a national executive committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, which produced a new national working committee led by David Mark.

According to him, the meeting was monitored by INEC officials, and the outcome was later recognised by the commission.

He said the commission subsequently uploaded the new leadership on its portal on September 9, 2025.

 “There was no dispute. No objection. No ambiguity. So what changed? Power, pressure, and political interference,” he said.

Rufa’i alleged that INEC later disregarded due process by interpreting a court order regarding the party’s leadership dispute.

“Let it be stated unequivocally: INEC has no constitutional authority to interpret court orders,” he said.

“That duty belongs strictly to the courts. What INEC has done is not neutrality. It is complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage.”

The youth leader questioned the basis on which the commission acted on letters and pending court motions.

“On what legal basis did INEC act on letters and an ex parte motion that has neither been heard nor determined by a court of competent jurisdiction?” he asked.

“Why did INEC act on pending motions, rely on letters instead of binding court orders, and assume the powers of the judiciary? This is not a mistake, but a violation of the constitution.”

The group also asked the national assembly to investigate the actions of the electoral commission.

Rufa’i said lawmakers should exercise their constitutional oversight powers and consider appropriate measures, including the recall or removal of the INEC chairman.

He also called on the judiciary to clarify its orders in order to prevent misinterpretation and manipulation.

The ADC youth wing urged the armed forces to remain neutral in matters concerning democratic participation.

“We commend the Armed Forces for defending Nigeria. However, we state clearly that the military must remain neutral and stay away from civic democratic actions. This is a civil and constitutional matter,” he said.

The group insisted that the leadership inaugurated at the July 29 NEC meeting remains the legitimate leadership of the party.

According to Rufa’i, any attempt to alter the leadership without a final court judgment is illegal.

He said the youth wing is demanding that INEC restore the Mark-led leadership on its official portal.

The group also asked the commission to apologise to Nigerians and stop taking actions based on letters or pending motions without court orders.

Rufa’i said the youth wing is also demanding the resignation or removal of the INEC chairman.

He warned that the group would mobilise nationwide civic action if the commission failed to comply with the ultimatum.

“If INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, we will initiate nationwide, peaceful, and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the FCT,” he said.

“ADC youths and concerned Nigerians, including civil society organisations, will lawfully occupy INEC offices nationwide and sustain civic resistance until full restoration of democratic order.”

Rufa’i also cautioned against attempts to weaken opposition parties, adding that Nigeria must not be turned into a one-party state.

“Restore democracy or face the resolve of the Nigerian people,” he added.